Title
Relieved Working study: Systematic development and design of an intervention to decrease occupational quartz exposure at construction worksites
Author
Oude Hengel, K.M.
van Deurssen, E.
Meijster, T.
Tielemans, E.
Heederik, D.
Pronk, A.
Publication year
2014
Abstract
Background: Occupational quartz exposure continues to be a serious hazard in the construction industry. Until now, evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing quartz exposure are scarce. The aim of this study was to systematically develop an intervention and to describe the study to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods/design: The intervention was developed according to the principles of the Intervention Mapping protocol, meaning that evidence from the literature was combined with information collected from stakeholders (e.g., construction workers, managers and researchers). The intervention aimed to integrate technical, behavioural and organizational factors. The intervention consists of two plenary meetings for all employers within the company, and individual visits at construction worksites, including specific intervention materials. Additionally, a demonstration session regarding control measures was organized for all managers. The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial among eight construction companies, with measurements at baseline and follow-up. Outcome measures are personal respirable dust and quartz exposure by means of exposure assessment, and behavioural and organizational determinants which will be assessed by means of questionnaires. Additionally, a process evaluation will shed light on whether the intervention (does not) works, and, if so, the reasons for this. Discussion: Applying Intervention Mapping in the development of an intervention to reduce occupational quartz exposure was useful, as different stakeholders provided input for the intervention as well as the implementation strategy. Therefore, the feasibility of the intervention has been enhanced, as it appeals to construction workers and managers and will not unduly interfere with the ongoing construction work. Trial registration number: NTR4586 (May 7th 2014).
Subject
Resilient Organisations Earth & Environment Life
WHC - Work, Health and Care UES - Urban Environment & Safety RAPID - Risk Assessment Products in Development
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Work and Employment
Workplace
Healthy Living
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:de0436dc-80eb-4678-97e6-1cf696e2766b
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-760
TNO identifier
514384
Source
BMC Public Health, 14
Article number
760
Document type
article